Dolphins pass defense: D+

Dolphins pass defense: D+

Jim Rassol / Sun Sentinel

Jimmy Wilson, Will Davis, and Mike Thomas. That's who the Dolphins lined up at cornerback on their most important defensive possession of the season. Somehow, someway, it worked. Thomas was signed on Tuesday and made the biggest play of the Dolphins' season -- a fourth-down interception of Tom Brady in the end zone with two seconds remaining in the game -- on Sunday. Thomas can credit the Dolphins' strong pass rush late in the contest for forcing Brady into the poor throw a the critical moment -- but the bend-but-don't-break philosophy to pass defense nearly broke Miami and its playoff hopes. Julian Edelman was targeted 19 times Sunday. Danny Amendola saw 14 balls come his way. Both had more than 130 yards receiving thanks to stellar route-running and shoddy coverage. Will Davis was specifically tormented by Edelman, and later Austin Collie when injuries made Davis the No. 1 corner on the field for Miami. The Dolphins safeties were non existent. Jimmy Wilson essentially let Edelman score with 4:07 left in the game by opting to go for a strip, instead of a tackle at the 5-yard line. The final plays of the game were won by the Dolphins' secondary -- a result that Brady will probably remember for a long time -- but that only masks the overall poor performance from the Dolphins' pass defense Sunday.

Jimmy Wilson, Will Davis, and Mike Thomas. That's who the Dolphins lined up at cornerback on their most important defensive possession of the season. Somehow, someway, it worked. Thomas was signed on Tuesday and made the biggest play of the Dolphins' season -- a fourth-down interception of Tom Brady in the end zone with two seconds remaining in the game -- on Sunday. Thomas can credit the Dolphins' strong pass rush late in the contest for forcing Brady into the poor throw a the critical moment -- but the bend-but-don't-break philosophy to pass defense nearly broke Miami and its playoff hopes. Julian Edelman was targeted 19 times Sunday. Danny Amendola saw 14 balls come his way. Both had more than 130 yards receiving thanks to stellar route-running and shoddy coverage. Will Davis was specifically tormented by Edelman, and later Austin Collie when injuries made Davis the No. 1 corner on the field for Miami. The Dolphins safeties were non existent. Jimmy Wilson essentially let Edelman score with 4:07 left in the game by opting to go for a strip, instead of a tackle at the 5-yard line. The final plays of the game were won by the Dolphins' secondary -- a result that Brady will probably remember for a long time -- but that only masks the overall poor performance from the Dolphins' pass defense Sunday. (Jim Rassol / Sun Sentinel)

Jimmy Wilson, Will Davis, and Mike Thomas. That's who the Dolphins lined up at cornerback on their most important defensive possession of the season. Somehow, someway, it worked. Thomas was signed on Tuesday and made the biggest play of the Dolphins' season -- a fourth-down interception of Tom Brady in the end zone with two seconds remaining in the game -- on Sunday. Thomas can credit the Dolphins' strong pass rush late in the contest for forcing Brady into the poor throw a the critical moment -- but the bend-but-don't-break philosophy to pass defense nearly broke Miami and its playoff hopes. Julian Edelman was targeted 19 times Sunday. Danny Amendola saw 14 balls come his way. Both had more than 130 yards receiving thanks to stellar route-running and shoddy coverage. Will Davis was specifically tormented by Edelman, and later Austin Collie when injuries made Davis the No. 1 corner on the field for Miami. The Dolphins safeties were non existent. Jimmy Wilson essentially let Edelman score with 4:07 left in the game by opting to go for a strip, instead of a tackle at the 5-yard line. The final plays of the game were won by the Dolphins' secondary -- a result that Brady will probably remember for a long time -- but that only masks the overall poor performance from the Dolphins' pass defense Sunday.